Parents vote down school ‘cash for places’ deal
PARENTS at Scotland’s only directly government-funded school have voted against a controversial “cash-for-places” deal with a property firm.
Jordanhill School, in Glasgow’s west end, is said to have been seeking to expand its catchment area to include Cala Homes’ new housing development in exchange for the company building a £1.6million gym.
The plans would see an extra 400 homes added to the school’s catchment area.
However a parents’ group called for the plans to be delayed so a consultation can be carried out.
According to the Facebook group Jordanhill Watch, parents have now voted against the proposal by 63 per cent to 36%, which could mean the plan does not go ahead.
A total of 854 votes are said to have been cast.
The school is understood to have emailed parents to confirm the result of the vote.
No one from Cala Homes or the school was available for comment.
When the proposals originally came to light in May, Andrew Saunders of the Jordanhill Parents Action Group (JPAG) said: “JPAG believes it is unacceptable and inappropriate that the board of managers hase tabled this proposal at this unprecedented time when the school’s community – parents and guardians, including many NHS staff, key workers and furloughed staff – are dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Cala has said previously it is “standard practice” to work with local authorities to agree contributions to ease impact on areas in which it is building homes.
Jordanhill School said the proposal aimed to “provide an opportunity that both addresses historical concerns with the operation of the admissions regulations while simultaneously improving the school’s accommodation and facilities.”
Local people fought a lengthy campaign against plans by Cala for the new development in the grounds of the former Jordanhill College.
Jordanhill School is the former demonstration school for the teaching college and is the only school in Scotland to be directly funded by the Scottish Government, rather than through the local council.